Hard Thinking

"Long_Voyager94" (yourenotavalidusername) 01/07/2020 at 10:00 • Filed to: thoughts

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The thought has been crossing my mind a lot lately to consolidate down to 2 vehicles.

If I were to do this, I’d sell the Acclaim and sell the Rally van in favor of picking up an 08+ Grand Caravan.

I’ve found quite a few decent ones for around $3-5k, most are 150-180k miles, but mileage doesn’t really bother me anyway.

Getting to the point of wanting a different project and I’ve gotten some ideas for a 5th gen van.

I’m still on the fence though, so I’m looking to you guys for advice/thoughts.

After thinking on this over the weekend, I’m really leaning on the idea more. Guess it’s time to list the Rally Van and the Acclaim and start searching.

Spanfeller is a twat > Long_Voyager94 01/03/2020 at 17:07

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Older Caravans look more rugged, but in these ones you’d probably have more space, more comfort and a more reliable engine. It’s certainly a complicated choice.

I’d get a newer one and really get working on it.

Captain of the Enterprise > Long_Voyager94 01/03/2020 at 17:08

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I like the look but I thought you were unhappy with the other newer van. Why would this be better? 

CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever > Long_Voyager94 01/03/2020 at 17:13

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Oh man, that looks good. Wheels need to change though, but I like the idea.

I think Sparco Terras would look better but unsure if they would be available on the car

Long_Voyager94 > Captain of the Enterprise 01/03/2020 at 17:16

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More unhappy with the service on the newer van. It’s smooth, quiet, and fun to drive in most cases. The 3.6's lack of low end is kinda bothersome, but I’ve gotten used to it.

smobgirl > Long_Voyager94 01/03/2020 at 17:18

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I’ll put in an order for the green one please!



Long_Voyager94 > Spanfeller is a twat 01/03/2020 at 17:18

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Definitely more spacious and slightly more comfortable. Quieter and smoother for sure. Reliability, maybe?

I’m really torn right now. I’ve gotten bored with the car and rally van lately and have been itching to do stuff with the new one, but being under warranty I don’t want to touch it.

This would kinda be my way to “eat cake” so to speak.

Long_Voyager94 > CarsofFortLangley - Oppo Forever 01/03/2020 at 17:19

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I really love the looks of that van. Best part is, they’re factory size wheels and tires!

Captain of the Enterprise > Long_Voyager94 01/03/2020 at 17:19

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I don’t see why not to go for it then. I think it could look really cool, I like the look of the green one! 

Long_Voyager94 > smobgirl 01/03/2020 at 17:20

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I do love the green one!

Long_Voyager94 > Captain of the Enterprise 01/03/2020 at 17:22

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The green one would be more what I’d be going for overall.

Plus the older 5th gen (08-10) vans can be had with the 3.8 and the 4.0 V6s, which would give me the torquier feeling engine I want.

My X-type is too a real Jaguar > Long_Voyager94 01/03/2020 at 17:23

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Worth it for the stow and go seating in my opinion. 

Spanfeller is a twat > Long_Voyager94 01/03/2020 at 17:24

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Would an 08 one still be under warranty?

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Long_Voyager94 01/03/2020 at 17:25

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I keep saying we need rugged, off roading vans. Shit like this might cure crossoverism

Even if the bottom trims are more show than go. That’s all we Really  need to maintain our appearance of an interesting lifestyle

Long_Voyager94 > My X-type is too a real Jaguar 01/03/2020 at 17:26

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I’m hit or miss with the SNG seating. I like it in a pinch, but I lose the storage under the seats, meaning I have to lose seating to carry long objects (like lumber), where in my old van I can just slide it under the seat without losing seating.

SNG is one of those things I definitely don’t “need”, but it does come in handy on occasion.

Long_Voyager94 > Spanfeller is a twat 01/03/2020 at 17:27

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Definitely not, I meant our 2018 we already have.

Anything I buy now will be well out of warranty.

Long_Voyager94 > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 01/03/2020 at 17:28

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I would definitely buy an “off-road” minivan new if they sold one.

Honestly, the closer to base spec the better, vinyl floors and all!

DirtyDodge > Long_Voyager94 01/03/2020 at 17:29

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I love the acclaim and the rally van, but those vans are great. Hmmm, the wife will be out of town next week and has a 2012 T & C, maybe she comes hone to a suprise rally conversion.. 

Highlander-Datsuns are Forever > Long_Voyager94 01/03/2020 at 17:32

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I don’t know about he 2008+ but you could get the older Grand Caravan with AWD, seems like a fun project with your experience it could actuall y be productive.

For Sweden > Long_Voyager94 01/03/2020 at 18:12

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Choosing a Grand Caravan over an AWD Sienna is blatant nippophobia

M.T. Blake > Long_Voyager94 01/03/2020 at 18:42

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Do it. That’s over landing on the cheap. I’ve wanted to do a ‘Thomas Crown Affair’ style Mustang build for years. Almost reminds me of that. 

coqui70 > Long_Voyager94 01/03/2020 at 18:56

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The closest you can get is a Toyota Sienna LE AWD in taxi cab spec. Vinyl floors included!

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Long_Voyager94 01/03/2020 at 19:04

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I think dodge could do it. Just keep reusing the last caravan chassis and borrow a few engineers from jeep for tweaks and call it a day.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Long_Voyager94 01/03/2020 at 20:45

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Manwich - now Keto-Friendly > Long_Voyager94 01/03/2020 at 23:11

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Well my thoughts and advice are that if you’re in Toronto and go to Southside johnnys and feel like having some red wine you might as well just get the house red instead of the more expensive stuff because it’s just as good as the more expensive stuff and if you’re getting the burger get it with cheese but get the onion rings instead of the fries but also get the salad so you won’t get get plugged up while you’re listening to the band while watching the game but for live music the band on Saturday is better than the band on Friday but on the bright side it won’t matter if you show up with an Acclaim or a minivan  because nobody will care and the music is just as loud.

Future Heap Owner > Long_Voyager94 01/04/2020 at 00:22

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> quite a few decent ones for around $3-5k, most are 150-180k miles, but mileage doesn’t really bother me anyway.

Pretty much sums up my car-buying strategy.

And I can honestly say I never liked seeing beadlock rims aesthetically until seeing  them on that van. Dayang

Long_Voyager94 > coqui70 01/07/2020 at 06:46

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I wouldn’t be caught dead in a Toyota.

Long_Voyager94 > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 01/07/2020 at 06:47

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I just can’t bring myself to drive something that big again....

Long_Voyager94 > For Sweden 01/07/2020 at 06:47

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You couldn’t pay me to drive a Sienna.

SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media > Long_Voyager94 01/07/2020 at 06:57

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Acknowledged...and completely understood. The US is unfortunate that it does miss out on a couple of decent European and Japanese vans of smaller stature that are available in AWD or even part time 4x4. Volkswagen Transporter and Mitsubishi Delicia come to mind.

By now though you must have seen your AWD Plymouth paging here in Oppo...

Long_Voyager94 > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 01/07/2020 at 07:39

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I did. It’s rough for the money IMO, AWD or not.

Derpwagon > Long_Voyager94 01/07/2020 at 10:14

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That’s just narrow minded.

Future next gen S2000 owner > Long_Voyager94 01/07/2020 at 10:16

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Everyone has a price.

RamblinRover Luxury-Yacht > Long_Voyager94 01/07/2020 at 10:21

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What I want to know is, how hard would it be to put a ZJ Grand Cherokee drivetrain under a Grand Caravan.

Long_Voyager94 > Derpwagon 01/07/2020 at 10:23

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I’ve been in a handful of them, every single one has made my base Voyager feel well built and luxurious inside.

Long_Voyager94 > Future next gen S2000 owner 01/07/2020 at 10:23

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Not for that.

and 100 more > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 01/07/2020 at 10:27

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The current Grand Caravan was designed around the stow-n-go seats, so AWD was never an option. However, Jeep is rolling out a hybrid 4WD system on the Renegade and Compass, and I suspect they’re putting an electric motor on the rear axle rather than a mechanical connection to the engine. A system like that would be perfect for an AWD Grand Caravan.

Svend > SPAMBot - Horse Doctor 01/07/2020 at 10:40

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They did.

Mitsubishi Delica

Renault Scenic RX4.

Nobody really bought them and now we’ve stuff like this.

Svend > SilentButNotReallyDeadly...killed by G/O Media 01/07/2020 at 10:56

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Renault Scenic RX4.

Renault Kangoo Trekka.

Derpwagon > Long_Voyager94 01/07/2020 at 10:59

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I’m not saying they’re better or worse or comparing them at all. What I’m saying is you’d refuse money to drive something you don’t like?

JustAnotherG6 > Long_Voyager94 01/07/2020 at 11:12

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Put me in the ‘for’ category.

I want to take one and swap in a Challenger drivetrain.

HoustonRunner > Long_Voyager94 01/07/2020 at 11:37

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The SNG storage area blew my parents mind on the trip back from Santa Fe. I forgot to mention it before they left on the drive, and on the way back I had new ski boots I wanted them to take (easier than me carrying them on the plane). I popped open the storage area and easily fit the huge ski boots box in.

On your topic, I say go for it. You clearly have the confidence in the drive train, and know what you want.  The only question I have is: how much would you miss the Acclaim?  You would be down to only minivans, would you miss a car?

I Will Always Be The Honey Badger > Long_Voyager94 01/07/2020 at 11:57

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Let’s say you bought a newer GC that had, say, the 3.6 with a blown trans. Then found a crashed AWD Journey. Engine and trans a direct bolt in, just with the AWD transfer box hanging off the back. How to swap the independent rear might be a bit of a challenge, though. 

Long_Voyager94 > Derpwagon 01/07/2020 at 12:01

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Most definitely.

Paid or not, I refuse to be miserable behind the wheel of anything.

Long_Voyager94 > HoustonRunner 01/07/2020 at 12:07

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As it stands now I only drive it once a week just to keep it moving, so I don’t think I’d really miss it at all. 

Long_Voyager94 > I Will Always Be The Honey Badger 01/07/2020 at 12:09

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I think the SNG layout makes it impossible to run the driveshaft.

Honestly , I have zero need for AWD, I’ve never been stuck due to lack of driven wheels.

Long_Voyager94 > JustAnotherG6 01/07/2020 at 12:10

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11+ are already the 3.6 Penta, just turned sideways and mated to a FWD trans.

HoustonRunner > Long_Voyager94 01/07/2020 at 12:46

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Fair enough. For me I definitely started to miss a car when I was down to only my Suburban, my wife’s Pathfinder, and the minivan. Thankfully my E28 has filled that void.

Derpwagon > Long_Voyager94 01/07/2020 at 13:58

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“here’s a hundred bucks to go drive this van for 3 hours”

“nah, i’m good”

.....?

Long_Voyager94 > Derpwagon 01/07/2020 at 16:03

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Yep.

Actually have already. My Grandpa’s friend needed a ride into a Dr’s appt, he offered me $50 to take him to his appt, he’d buy me lunch, then I’d take him back home.

I told him he can keep the $50 and we’ll take my van. We ended up taking my 1992 Caravan.

Even he was blown away by how quiet and smooth my van was compared to his 2008.

For Sweden > Long_Voyager94 01/07/2020 at 18:38

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True Mopar Loyalty

SPAMBot - Horse Doctor > Svend 01/07/2020 at 22:43

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Mmmm, yes, those are what we need over here. Would be perfect

pip bip - choose Corrour > Long_Voyager94 01/08/2020 at 03:29

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that’s where the grinding noise is coming from

:P